New Zealand Hockey is confident of getting an invitation for the Black Sticks' men to attend next year's Rio Olympics.
The Black Sticks veteran Simon Child. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The men missed qualification this year, but one spot remains open for the 12-team Olympic tournament after South Africa decided not to send their team to Rio.
At number eight, the New Zealand men's team is the highest ranked team not at the games.
New Zealand Hockey said the world body was likely to send an invitation to the New Zealand Olympic Committee and they believed they fulfilled the criteria to be selected for the games.
New Zealand Hockey hoped to hear something later this week.
The Black Sticks men failed to gain qualification at a World League tournament earlier this year and then lost to Australia in their second chance at the Oceania Championship.
The New Zealand women have qualified for Rio.
